SAN DIEGO— A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to bring back three families that were deported, labeling their removal a case of “lies, deception, and coercion.” U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw found that these families, who had been torn apart under the controversial policy of family separation, should have remained in the U.S. due to humanitarian parole agreements that allowed them to stay until 2027.

One of the families, which includes a 6-year-old U.S. citizen, was deported to Honduras in July after being subjected to what they described as coerced check-ins with ICE. The mother claimed she was pressured into signing a document agreeing to leave, despite her refusal, and was then detained for three days before being sent back to Honduras. The judge's ruling means the families will not only return but that the government must cover their travel costs.

Sabraw stated that all three removals were unlawful, and without them, the families would still be in the U.S., enjoying the benefits they deserve. Lee Gelernt, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union who represents these families, commended the ruling, emphasizing the need to hold the administration accountable for its actions during the family separation crisis.